A CARDIFF letting agent has made a success of targeting the social housing market for her landlords, opening four branches last year and planning two more this year.

More than 70% of properties managed by Sandra Churchill are occupied by tenants on housing benefit, and no longer by students.

She said that properties traditionally providing accommodation for students were standing empty because of investment by higher education authorities in well-equipped student accommodation.

She said: “Student accommodation of a very high standard is now available from universities and rents are cheap, so within two years, far fewer students will be looking for traditional accommodation in areas close to college.

“Already, hundreds of properties in Cardiff are standing empty – but there is no need for landlords to panic. They should be re-appraising the options and taking a closer look at opportunities in the social housing market, where there is a vast and growing waiting list.”

She said people on housing benefit tended to be stigmatised. By studying the benefits system and working closely with support agencies and the local authority, she says she has found a formula which meets the needs of individual tenants, families and social services, and provides landlords with a good return and capital growth.

She added: “We have a system of referrals which ensures as far as possible the reliability of tenants, many of whom are only looking for a stable existence and integration back into the community. They genuinely want to make a home and are not going to trash your property.”

Churchill’s success comes at a time when the RLA is raising concerns about the social housing market for private landlords, as we report in this issue.